In 2007-2008, the Celtics made it to the Finals to face the Lakers thanks to their so-called Big Three, made up of who?

Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Nate Robinson

Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen

Allen was the sharpshooter, Garnett controlled the lane and Pierce was the general in control.

Kevin Garnett, Nate Robinson and Paul Pierce

Question 4 of 30

After much deliberation, the Celtics passed on this Lakers legend in the 1996 draft.

Kobe Bryant

That's right, Kobe Bryant, a die-hard Lakers fan and the face of the 2000's-era team, was nearly in Boston green.

Steve Nash

Pau Gasol

Question 5 of 30

Altogether, the Celtics and Lakers have how many NBA championship banners?

18

14

33

It nearly boggles the mind, but these teams have won 33 championships, accounting for nearly half of the championships in the league's entire history.

Question 6 of 30

The original "Big Three" in Boston consisted of which players?

Kevin McHale, Robert Parish and Larry Bird

Larry Bird, Dennis Johnson and Robert Parish

These three Hall of Fame players won their first title together in 1981 versus the Houston Rockets.

Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Danny Ainge

Question 7 of 30

The made-for-TV battles between these two players are often credited with saving the NBA from bankruptcy in the 1980's.

Kareem Abdul-Jabar versus Robert Parish

Larry Bird versus Kurt Rambis

Magic Johnson versus Larry Bird

As the Magic-Larry rivalry blossomed, they essentially became the faces of the NBA, driving up lagging ticket sales and TV ratings.

Question 8 of 30

Magic Johson and Larry Bird actually ended up playing together on which team?

The 1993 Minnesota Timberwolves

The 1992 Olympic Team

The 1992 Olympic "Dream Team" dismantled international competition by an average of 44 points per game.

The 1994 All-Star Team

Question 9 of 30

Which social issue lurked heavily as a backdrop between the on-court sparring between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird?

the AIDS epidemic

illegal drug use

race relations

In a league that was predominantly black (especially in the 1970s) the black-versus-white competition between Johnson and Bird became fodder for national conversation. Both players tended to avoid the topic altogether, content to simply play the game.

Question 10 of 30

The relationship between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain became famously icy because of what incident?

Chamberlain kissed Russell's wife.

Russell accused Chamberlain of giving up during a Finals game.

Chamberlain exited a contest after suffering a severe knee injury at the end of the 1969 Finals. Russell accused him of quitting to avoid being on the floor at the end of the game, which the Lakers lost.

Russell called Chamberlain a coward.

Question 11 of 30

Which renowned Celtics players was selected eight spots ahead of Kobe Bryant in the 1996 draft?

Antoine Walker

Ray Allen

Allen proved his worth by having a spectacular and long-lived career

Paul Pierce

Question 12 of 30

In the 1980's, which coach famously led the Lakers to multiple championships?

Phil Jackson

K.C. Jones

Pat Riley

With his trademark slicked-back hair, Riley led the Lakers to four titles in the 1980s.

Question 13 of 30

What was the nickname given to the Lakers' dynamic, fast-paced offense?